Watford’s Nigeria international Odion Ighalo has been named the Premier League Player of the Month for December .

The Hornets number 24 beat fellow nominees Mesut Ozil, Marko Arnautovic, Riyad Mahrez, Romelu Lukaku and Dele Alli to win the prestigious accolade for the first time in his career.

Last month, Ighalo found the net five times in games against Norwich City, Sunderland, Liverpool (2) and Tottenham Hotspur and his strike versus Chelsea was later credited as a Gary Cahill own - goal by the Goal Accreditation Panel.

The former Flying Eagles skipper has followed in the footsteps of players of Nigerian descent Austin Okocha ( Bolton wanderers), Peter Odemwingie ( West Brom) and Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), who have all won the Premier League Player of the Month award in the past.

In 21 appearances in the top - flight so far this season, Odion Ighalo has scored 13 goals.

Photo Credit : watfordfc.com